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  • How often does a facility need to complete an oil spill response training under the FRP requirements?

    Facilities subject to the Facility Response Plan (FRP) regulations in 40 CFR Part 112, Subpart D are required to develop a facility response training program to train those personnel involved in oil spill response activities (§112.21(b)). How often does a facility need to complete an oil spill response training under…

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  • What is a significant and substantial harm facility?

    Some substantial harm facilities may meet the criteria for a significant and substantial harm facility. After you have prepared and submitted your FRP, the RA may determine that your facility has the potential, not just for substantial harm, but for significant and substantial harm. If the RA makes that determination…

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  • My neighbor is re-siding and re-roofing his house and there is material all over the ground. Do I need to be worried about asbestos exposure?

    Not all house siding or roofing materials contain asbestos. If you are concerned the material might contain asbestos, you can ask your neighbor whether or not the material has been tested for asbestos. Federal regulations regarding renovations or demolitions of asbestos-containing materials do not apply to a homeowner’s renovation of…

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  • How do I know if I have asbestos in my home (in floor tile, ceiling tile, shingles, siding, etc.)?

    The only way to be sure whether a material contains asbestos is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. EPA only recommends testing suspect materials if they are damaged (fraying, crumbling) or if you are planning a renovation that would disturb the suspect material. Samples should be taken by…

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  • PE certification for an FRP if an SPCC impracticability determination is made

    If the owner or operator of a facility subject to the SPCC regulations determines that the installation of any of the specified secondary containment structures or equipment is not practicable and accordingly provides in the facility’s SPCC Plan an oil spill contingency plan following the provisions of 40 CFR Part…

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  • My firm drills a series of 1/2-inch diameter holes in sheet rock to dry it out where rooms have been flooded. Is drilling these holes a prohibited practice?

    No. The requirement for HEPA exhaust control does not apply to the use of all power tools. Specifically, HEPA exhaust control is not required when using a power drill to drill holes in sheetrock. When using a power drill with a drill bit to cut through sheetrock, the speed associated…

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  • Elements to include in Facility Response Plan

    What key elements should I include in my Facility Response Plan? As you prepare your FRP, be sure that your plan includes the following elements: Emergency Response Action Plan (an easily accessible stand-alone section of the overall plan) including the identity of a qualified individual with the authority to implement…

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  • What are the FRP recordkeeping requirements?

    What FRP recordkeeping requirements must I satisfy? You must maintain the response plan at your facility, along with plan updates reflecting material changes. You must also keep a log of response training drills and exercises. Records of inspections of response equipment must be kept for five years. If you determine…

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  • Under FRP, what is the definition of a qualified individual?

    The FRP regulations require facilities to prepare an emergency response action plan and identify a qualified individual that has full authority, including contracting authority, to implement removal actions (40 CFR §112.20(h)(i)). What is the definition of a qualified individual? The relevant statute, CWA 311(j)(5)(C)(ii) requires that the plan identify the…

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  • Does the EPA have money available for homeowners to pay for asbestos testing or asbestos removal?

    The EPA does not have funding available to homeowners for asbestos testing or removal. Other Frequent Questions about Asbestos Learn About Asbestos Asbestos and School Buildings Information for Owners and Managers of Buildings that Contain Asbestos Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos Asbestos Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation

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  • I'm remodeling my home. Do I need to be concerned about asbestos in the building materials?

    It's not possible for you to tell whether a material in your home contains asbestos simply by looking at it. If you suspect a material within your home might contain asbestos (for example floor tile, ceiling tile or old pipe wrap) and the material is damaged (fraying or falling apart)…

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  • Does dry wall or sheet rock contain asbestos?

    There is no way to know whether these materials contain asbestos without having them tested. If you are concerned those materials in your home may contain asbestos and the materials are damaged (frayed, falling apart) or if you are performing a renovation that will disturb the material, consult with a…

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  • What is a Facility Response Plan?

    According to the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended by the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), certain facilities that store and use oil are required to prepare and submit plans to respond to a worst case discharge of oil and to a substantial threat of such a discharge. EPA has established…

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  • What are the requirements of EPA's Facility Response Plan Rule?

    According to OPA, an owner or operator of a “substantial harm” facility must develop and implement an FRP. A “substantial harm” facility is a facility that, because of its location, could reasonably be expected to cause substantial harm to the environment by discharging oil into or on navigable waters or…

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  • What is the purpose of a Facility Response Plan?

    The FRP helps an owner or operator develop a response organization and ensure the availability of response resources (i.e., response equipment, trained personnel) needed to respond to an oil discharge. The FRP should also demonstrate that the response resources are available in a timely manner, thereby reducing a discharge’s impact…

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